Assembly election 2016: Gordon Lyons wins East Antrim seat for DUP

Stephen Gamble

The DUP’s Gordon Lyons is celebrating after being elected to the Assembly for the first time.

The Larne man, who was co-opted to replace 2011 poll topper Sammy Wilson at Stormont last year, said he was “delighted” with the result after passing the quota at the eighth count.

He told the Times: “ I want to say a massive thank you to everyone who came out to voted. This will allow me to continue the work I started in the constituency when Sammy Wilson stood down as MLA.

“It has been a long day but the hard work has paid off. It is absolutely fantastic.”

Mr Wilson MP said he was “very proud” of his successor’s achievement, adding: “Gordon has ensured he has made a name for himself in the constituency since replacing me last August. I know how hard he has worked and I am very pleased for him; he will make an excellent MLA.

“I was impressed by the number of first preference votes he secured and we will continue to build on that in the coming years. I want to thank the people of East Antrim for supporting him .”